allautodeterminazione

All'autodeterminazione, or self-determination, is a principle in international law and political theory that holds that peoples have the right to determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. It is central to discussions of independence, national identity, and constitutional arrangements within states.

Legally, the right is anchored in the United Nations system. The UN Charter affirms respect for equal rights and self-determination, and the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples provided a pragmatic formulation for decolonization. The right is further elaborated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), understood as a collective right of peoples. The concept encompasses two dimensions: external self-determination (the right to statehood or association) and internal self-determination (guarantees of meaningful participation, autonomy, and the protection of minorities within a state).

In practice, self-determination has shaped movements for independence and constitutional reforms. It emphasizes peaceful means and respect for territorial integrity, while debates continue over when secession is legitimate, whether it is a remedy for oppression, and how to balance the rights of individuals and groups with the stability of existing states.

While the term is widely cited in international discourse, its application is context-dependent and politically contested. It remains a foundational basis for decolonization and for ongoing discussions about autonomy, federal arrangements, and recognition of minority rights.

See also: self-determination, decolonization, autonomy, secession, international law.